Byesville Rotary learns 2015 is 150th anniversary of Grant’s victory over Lee

Pictured: Oziel Jeffries, Speaker Host, and Andy Warhola, guest speaker.

Andy Warhola, accompanied by Ron Fichthorn, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the final battles of the Civil War and Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.

Warhola explained that the South never expected to win the war. General Lee’s goal was to wear down the Union. He expected that sooner or later the Union would tire of the war and let the Southern states succeed.

Grant began the campaign leading to the surrender in Appomattox Courthouse in northern Virginia and marched south. In March of 1865, Grant took advantage of the confusion caused by Sherman’s March to the Sea and ordered Union troops to construct trench lines between Richmond and Petersburg. The trenches cut supply lines to Richmond and Lee’s army. Lee’s soldiers went without food and many began to desert.

Lee decided to move around Grant’s lines and link up with a second Confederate army located in North Carolina. He abandoned Richmond and Petersburg and retreated toward Appomattox Court House.

By the morning of April 9, 1865, Lee’s retreat was cut off. Lee launched an attack intending to break through Union forces and escape south. He expected to be facing Union cavalry, but the Union cavalry had been reinforced with two corps of Union infantry. Lee’s only choice was to surrender.

Lee and Grant began to negotiate. Lee hoped to prevent Confederate forces from being completely humiliated. Warhola pointed out that Grant was generous in victory. He required Lee’s soldiers to lay down their arms, permitted the men to keep their horses and allowed Lee’s officers to keep their arms. He also issued rations to the starving Confederates.

During business meeting, club members voted to donate $500 to Deputy Kerns who is the rolling Hills School Resource Officer for Rolling Hills. Kerns will use the donation to support a safety program on the topic of the dangers of distracted driving. Kerns hopes to reach all of the high school students in Guernsey County. The club also donated $200 to The Living Word. Club members were informed that the Registration has been paid for a student to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference. The club needs to invite a student to attend.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.